Thanks to a thrilling stoppage-time goal from Kai Havertz in their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Arsenal defeated Sporting CP 1-0 in Lisbon despite playing late.
Havertz came off the bench to score in the ninetieth minute after being set up by fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli, giving the visitors a narrow but crucial edge ahead of the return leg in London, just when it appeared that the match would end in a draw.
Arsenal had to rely a lot on goalkeeper David Raya before to that late breakthrough, and he gave an excellent effort. In order to keep the score tied, he first deflected a powerful shot from Maxi Araujo onto the crossbar and then denied Luis Suarez and Geny Catamo.
Unbelievable… he is still undervalued in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world,” Havertz said after the game, praising his teammate’s performance.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, acknowledged that his team struggled to find cutting edge for a large portion of the match, but he credited the game-winning moment. “A magical moment from the finishers wins us the game in the end,” he remarked.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also admitted his side struggled to find cutting edge for much of the game but credited the moment of quality that decided it. “In the end a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game,” he said.
Discover more from Headline Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
